Sewing machines



April 11, 1961 R. CASAS-ROBERT ETAL 2,979,002

SEWING MACHINES Filed Feb. 5, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 U INVENTOI25 N I Q, E QAMQN cA sAa-wosaz JEAN Q0021 QQLAMDO GIAMIMAZZI April 11, 1961 R. CASAS-ROBERT ET AL ,002

SEWING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1957 April 11, 1961 R. CASAS-ROBERT ET AL 2,979,002

SEWING MACHINES Filed Feb. 5, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet s April 11, 1961 R. CASAS-ROBERT ET AL 2,979,002

SEWING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 5, 1957 April 11, 1961 R. CASAS-ROBERT ET AL 2,979,002

SEWING MACHINES Filed Feb. 5, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent C SEWING MACHINES Ramon Casas-Robert, Jean Court, and Rolando Ginninazzi, Geneva, Switzerland, assignors to Mefina .A., Fribourg, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland Filed Feb. 5, 1957, Ser. No. 638,321

Claims priority, application witzerland Feb. 18, 1956 12 Claims. (Cl. 112-158) Various sewing machines are known which, by means of cams, either secured permanently in the head, or removable or interchangeable, permit of imparting desired movements to the lateral movement of the needle bar. Said machines termed automatic, thus permit the automatic formation of practical and decorative sewing points, according to the profile of the cams used.

Said sewing machines, called automatic known hitherto, fall into two general classes which are as follows:

The first class includes sewing machines referred to an indirect control, that is to say zig-zag sewing machines generally comprising a first cam with a triangular profile, imparting to the needle bar, when the needle is withdrawn from the articles to be sewn, a lateral movement determining a zig-zag point. Said machines are also provided with a second cam device, secured permanently or interchangeable, adapted to modulate the impulses imparted by the first cam, thus varying the amplitude of the lateral movements of the needle bar actuated by the first cam. 'In this second cam device a first profile may control the amplitude of the zigzag movement, a second profile controlling the movement out of centre of the needle bar. In the case of sewing machines also provided for the transport movement of the fabric controlled automatically, a third profile is provided. In these sewing machines with indirect control it becomes possible to impart to the second cam device speeds of rotation which are varied according to the number of stitches of the needle bar, which enable the designs produced to be lengthened or shortened by the profiles of the cams whilst maintaining the same length of point from one picking of a needle to the next. This may present some advantages for the production of special designs, for example, monograms, button-holes and so forth.

The second class includes sewing machines known as direct controlled and has only one cam device, secured permanently or interchangeably, for obtaining lateral movements of the needle bar. By the suppression of the triangular cam used in sewing machines with indirect control, the impulses for the lateral movements of the needle bar are imparted directly by the profile of the cams of the cam device of said direct control machines.

Thus, for controlling the variations in amplitude and decentering of the needle bar, a single profile cam suflices. A second profile is added in the case of a transport of the fabric controlled automatically by the cam. In order that the lateral movement of the needle bar takes place, when the needle is withdrawn from the part to be sewn, the profile of the cams should be synchronized with each stitch of the needle, as a result of which the speed of rotation of the cam device should be fixed in relation to the number of stitches of the needle bar, which excludes the possibility of lengthening or shortening of the designs obtained by the profiles of the cams.

In machines with direct control, the zig-zag point is obtained by a particular shape of'cam as for anyother practical or decorative point, whilst in machines with p ice indirect control sewing, the zig-zag point is obtained by a triangular primary cam.

The object of the present invention is precisely to permit of the conversion of a sewing machine with direct control (second class) into a sewing machine with indirect control (first class) in such a manner that the sewing machine obtainedthus has equally well the advantages of the first as also those of the second.

A sewing machine according to the invention is therefore of the type in which the needle bar is capable of being subjected to lateral movements controlled by a primary cam controlling on each of its revolutions a cyclic number of points, an adjusting member permitting of varying the amplitude of these lateral movements. This machine is characterised in that it comprises an additional device itself comprising at least an auxiliary cam capable. of varying cyclically, during a number of points higher than the original cyclic number (primary cam), the amplitude of the lateral movements of the needle bar.

One form of construction of a sewing machine accord ing to the invention is shown diagrammatically and by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the mechanism for controlling the lateral movements of the needle bar of a sewing machine with direct control.

Fig. 2 shows in perspective and in partial sections, the additional device adapted to be mounted on the sewing machine shown partially in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows in perspective also the control post of the sewing machine according to Fig. 1, completed by the additional device according to Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the additional device, some parts being removed so as 'to show the operation of the members for adjusting the amplitude of the zig-zag.

Fig. 5 is a plan view similar to the preceding one, showing clearly the mechanism for the intermittent driving of the auxiliary cam.

Fig. 6 is a view, to a larger scale, of a cam capable of being used for making button-holes.

Fig. 7 shows, in very diagrammatic form; the track of the button-hole obtained by means'of the cam shown in. Fig.6, Fig. 7a showing the centering position imparted to the needle.

Figs. 8a to 8h show diagrammatically some sewing points obtained by the sewing machine hereinafter d e scribed.

Fig. 9 is an explanatory view showing how a mono gram may be carried out. 1

The machine, shown more particularly in Fig. l of the accompanying drawings, is a sewing machine of the type with direct control as described in detail in USA. Patent No. 2,682,845.

In a sewing machine of this character, the needle bar, which is mounted in such a manner as to be capable of being driven in an axial to-and-fro movement in an oscillating support relatively to the framework of the machine, is capable of being subjected to lateral movements by a primary cam 1, driven in continuous rotation by a driving shaft of the machine, for example the shaft which itself controls the axial to-and-fro movements of the needle bar. The driving in lateral move: ments of the needle bar is effected through the medium of'a feeler finger Z secured to an arm 3 hinged at 4 the end of a rod 10 subjected to the action of aspring tending to urge itin the direction of the arrow-shown;- thereon. The other and of s'aidlrod ltliis hinged to the,

oscillating support located in the head of the sewing machine, the needle bar sliding axially in said support. More specifically, as clearly shown in Figure 3 and as set forth in US. Patent No. 2,682,845, said rod has extension rod 10a attached thereto and hinged at 120 to oscillating support or bracket 121 which carries bearmg members 124 and 125. Needlebar 122, to which needle 126 is fixed at the lower end 127 thereof, slides vertically in support 121 between said bearings 124 and 125. The oscillating support 12 1 is so mounted as to oscillate about axis 123 which is maintained in a position fixed with respect to the sewing machine.

The lateral position of the roller 9 is determined by an extension 11 of its axis of rotation which is guided in a fork 12 forming a slide for said extension 11. Said fork 12 forms part of a member capable of being moved angularly about the axis of rotation 13 of the primary cam 1 through the medium of an arm =14 of which the end carries a manual adjusting member- 15.

- The manual adjusting member 15 is mounted on the arm 14 in such a manner as to be capable of being moved axially thereon. In Fig. l, the member 15 is shown in its extreme outer position. As will be seen in this figure, said member 15 has a part in the form of a Wedge 16 adapted to co-operate with notches 17 provided in one of the edges of the slot 18 of the framework of the machine, so as to fix the arm 14 and thus the fork.12 in position. The fixing in position of the arm 14 may therefore take place when the member 15 is repelled inwardly of the machine in such a manner that its wedge 16 engages in the notches 17. Said arm 14 has also a resilient part enabling the wedge 16 to jump from one notch 17. to the other without it being necessary to withdraw the member 15 towards the outside.

In a sewing machine of this character the impulses imparted by the teeth of the primary cam l to the feeler finger 2 are transmitted to the roller 9 and thus to the needle bar at a ratio of transmission depending on the position of the roller 9 along the slide 8, that is to say from the position of the adjusting member 15 along the slot 18 of the framework7.

This machine also comprises a device enabling the centering position of the needle to be varied relatively to the needlehole plate. In fact, the lever 5 is provided, at the end of its arm 19, with a rod 20 held in contact with the profile of a cam 21 hollowed in the interior of an operating milled whee1 22 rotatably mounted'on a spindle 23 stationary relatively to the framework 7. A spring 24, hooked at one end at 25 to the framework 7 and at the other end to a screw 26 secured in the end of the arm 19, maintains the rod 20 in contact with the cam '21. The rod 20 is. capable of beingadjusted in position at the end of the arm 19' by means of an eccentric device 20a locked in position by a screw 26. I The position of the hingeaxis 4 of the arm 3 thus dependson the position of the control wheel 22. In the construction shown, when the wheel 22 is moved into its extreme position after rotation in a clockwise direction, the needle is centered at the left-hand end of the-needle hole; the extreme angularly opposite position of the wheel 22 corresponds with the centering of the needle at the right-hand end of the needle. hole.

' Said sewing machine is also provided'with a mechanism enabling the amplitude of the movements of the feeder to beva'ried just as the direction of its movements.

- This mechanism is capable of being adjusted manually by means of an operating member, not shown, acting on-acontrol shaft Z'I-turning in bearings 28 provided inthe framework of the machine. l'iurther,v in this machine, al mechanism permits of controllin inan automaticmanner, thevariations in amplitude and the direction-of the movements of the feeder. This mechanism 52, or fractions of this number.

has-been shown fully in Fig. lin which it will be .seen '7: that the shaft 27 carries at its upper endafork 29 constituting a slidefor a finger 30 carried by the end of one of the arms of the lever 31 of which the end of the other arm 32 forms a feeler member 33 of a control cam, not shown, of the type of the primary cam 1, driven in rotation simultaneously with said primary cam 1. Said lever 31 is hinged on a spindle 34 carried by an arm 35 mounted for oscillation on a spindle 36 stationary relatively to the framework of the machine. A stop 37, of which the position is controlled by the manual control member for the variations of amplitude and direction or" the feeder, is provided for fixing the arm 35 in the position for which the feeler finger 33 is caused to follow the contour of its corresponding cam, not shown in Fig. 1.

The primary cam 1 as also the cam capable of eventually being mounted thereon for the control of the feeder, are mounted in position on their driving shaft 13 by means of a spring clutch mechanism controlled by a knob 38. Said spring clutch mechanism has not been shown in detail as it forms the subject of another patent of the applicants. 7

The sewing machine described above with reference to Fig. l is adapted to be completed by an additional device which is to be engaged on the driving shaft 13 after having removed the independent primary cam 1 shown in Fig. 1. Said additional device, which is shown in Figs. 2 to 5, comprises a support 39 adapted to be placed on the framework 7, said support 39 being centered on the framework 7 by means of a screw 40 with a cylindrical head engaging with a seating provided in the support 39. Said support 39 is thus centered, on the one hand by said screw 40,- and on the other hand by a sleeve 41 carried by the support 39 and which engages around the shaft 13. A primary cam 1a, of the same type as theprimary cam 1, is mounted at the lower end of the sleeve 41, in such a manneras to be capable of being driven in rotation by the driving gudgeon 43 shown in Fig. 1. Said cam 1a therefore has a profile identical with that of the primary cam 1, that is .to say a profile adapted to impart to the needle bar a uniform lateral to-and-fro movement, allowing of uniform zig-zag sewing.

At the upper end of the sleeve 41, a piate 44, carrying a driving gudgeon 45, is mounted in such a manner as to be capable of turning independently of the sleeve 41. Said plate 44 is adapted-to be driven by an intermittent driving mechanism controlled by the primary cam 10 itself. In fact, said intermittentdriving mechanism coinprises a lever 46 oscillating about a spindle 47 which is stationary relatively to the support 39. One of the arms 48 of the said lever carries a feeler finger d9 bearing against the primary cam 1a-(see Figs. 2 and 5).- The other arm 50 or} said lever 46 carries a paw-151 cooperating with dog-teeth 52 cut into the periphery of the plate 44. Said latter thus forms, in part, a ratchet Wheel; the angular position of said ratchet wheel is fixed by means ofja second pawl 42 formed by the cnd of a resilient blade secured to the support 39 by a screw 42a. The hinge axis 53 of -the pawl 51 is capable of being secured at a number of points along the arm 59, in such a manner thata complete revolution of the ratchet wheel 44/52 is eifected after a number of impulses of the pawl 51 equal either to the number of teeth As will be seen in Figs. 2 and 5, the arm 50 of the lever 46 has a slot'54 along the length of which the hinge axis 53 can be fixed by reason of the notches 55 provided in one of the edges oftheslot54, j

A spring 56 is wound around and'hooked at one of its ends to the hinge spindle 53, secured to the pawl 51, whilst its other end bears against the wall of the slot 54. Said spring 56 therefore tends tofhold the hinge axis 53 in one of the corresponding notches 55, whilst imparting to the pawl51 a couple 1 tending to maintain its end in contact with the-ratchet. wheel 44/52. An

extension 57 .of' the "pawl 51 constitutes an operating member enabling the hinge axis 53 to be moved manually into one or other of the notches 55 marked by the numbers 1, 2, 3 on the lever 46. A spring 58, hooked by one of its ends to a stationary rod 59 and by its other end to a bent part 68 of the lever 46, tends to cause this to pivot about the spindle 47 in a counterclockwise direction (relatively to Fig. and thus maintain the feeler finger 49 in contact with the profile of the primary cam 1a.

The upper end 61 of the rod 59 serves as pivotal axis for a lever 62 of which one end 63 constitutes a manual control member, whilst the other end 64 is in the form of a hook. Said end 64 has a ramp 65 (see Figs. 3 and 4) adapted to co-operate with the part 66 of the lever 46 for moving it angularly against the action of the spring 58 and thus withdrawing the feeler finger 49 away from the primary cam 1a when the control member 63 has been moved towards the right (see Fig. 5).

The hinging of the lever 62 on its pivotal spindle 61 is with considerable friction so that the said lever 62 retains its angular position into which the user of the sewing machine has moved it. This manual control member 63 thus permits of rendering inactive the intermittent driving mechanism including the lever 46, pawl .51 and ratchet wheel 44/52.

The plate 44 and its driving finger 45 are adapted to receive a first interchangeable auxiliary cam 67. The geometrical axis of rotation of said cam 67, which corresponds with that of the plate 44, is coincident with the geometrical axis 13 of rotation of the primary cam 1a.

A feeler member 68 is adapted to follow the profile of said cam 67 so as to communicate to the adjusting member 15, in an automatic manner, a modulation or variation of the amplitude of the lateral movements of the needle bar, the modulation depending on the profile of said cam 67. For this purpose, the feeler member 68 is carried by the end of one of the arms of a lever 69 pivoting about a stationary spindle 7G. The other arm 71 of said lever 69 carries a plate 72 of which the edge 73 constitutes a sliding surface for the end 74 of a rod 75. Said same rod 75 is also hinged at its end 74 to one end of a control rod 76 of which the other end is hinged at 77 to a part 78 mounted in such a manner as to be capable of turning about the sleeve 41. Said part or bent member 78 has an extension 79 of which the bent end 80 enables the arm 79 to be coupled to the adjusting member 15. As will be seen in Fig. 2, the bent end 80 of the arm 79 carries a plate 81 provided with a fork 82 of which the internal shape corresponds substantially with the wedge 16 of the member 15. Said plate 81 is secured to the end 86 of the arm 79 by a screw 83 enabling an adjustment to be made between the plate 81 and the end 86 during the first mounting of the additional device in the sewing machine.

' A spring 84, hooked at one end to the rod 59 and at the other end to the arm 79, tends to cause this to turn in a counter-clockwise direction, whereby the end 74 of the rod 75 is also in contact with the sliding surface 73. The other end of the rod 75 is hinged to a spindle 85 secured transversely in a slide 86 capable of being moved in a slide 87 of cylindrical shape. A spring 88, located in the interior of the slide 87 and bearing against a bottom 89 of this, tends to push the slide 86. A screw 90 engages in a threaded hole provided axially in the slide 86. The stem of said screw is split longitudinally for obtaining tight friction of the screw in the threaded hole of the slide 86. The head 91 of said screw constitutes a control member permitting of locating the hinge 75 to bear at any point along the sliding surface 73.-

A plate 93 secured to the support 39 has a slot 94 through which passes an extension 95 of the spindle 85.

Said extension 95 serves as a pointer enabling the mark- I 6 96, which position is a function of the position of the end 74 along the sliding surfaces 73.

The mechanism comprising the parts 72, 73, 74, 75, 86 and 91, is adapted to permit of causing variation of the ratio of transmission of the movements between the feeler finger 68 of the auxiliary cam 67 and the adjusting member 15 through the medium of the arm 79. Said mechanism permits of selecting at will the amplitude of the lateral movements imparted to the needle bar by the profile of the auxiliary cam 67. As will be understood readily with reference to Fig. 4, when the pointer 95 is brought to the position 4 on the scale 96, the end 74 of the rod comes to bear in the vicinity of the inner end of the sliding surface 73. Said bearing point between the end 74 and the sliding surface 73 being the more removed on the arm 71, 72 of the lever 69, the maximum amplitude of the movements is transmitted through the medium of the rod 76 to the arm 79, then to the adjusting member 15. The more the member 91 is screwed into. the slide 86 and the more the end 74 is near the oscillation point of the lever 69, the greater the movements transmitted by the mechanism to the arm 79 are reduced so as to reach a zero value when the spindle 92 coincides with the spindle 70 (position zero on the scale 96). It is to be observed that the hinge axis 92 may be retracted beyond the spindle 70 (the pointer being then located beyond the point 0), so that in such a position, the end 74 of the rod 75, by

bearing against the outer end of the sliding surface 73,

tends to cause the lever 69 to pivot in an anti-clockwise direction and thus move the feeler finger 68 away from the profile of the auxiliary cam 67. This particular construction of the control member 91 permits, for example, by pulling this member 91 against the action of the spring 88, of temporarily moving the slide 86 into the zero position corresponding to a zero amplitude of the lateral movement of the needle bar without removing the adjustment of the screw stop which constitutes the member 91, which thus permits of retaining and thus immediately finding again a poistion of initial adjustment. As will be seen in Fig. 4, the sliding surface 73 has an arcuate shape. The radius of this are has a value equal to the distance r separating the hinge axes 77 and 92 of the rod 76, less the radius of tangency of the rod 75, that is to say the distance separating the geometrical axis 92 from the point of contact 74 between the rod 75 and the sliding surface 73. Further, the hinge axis 77 connecting the rod 76 to the part 78 is arranged in such a manner that when the adjusting member 15 is in the zero position in the'slot 18, which position corresponds with a zero amplitude of the lateral movement of the needle bar, the movable hinge axis 92, of the rod 76 relatively tothe lever 69 carrying the feeler finger 68, is on an arc of a circle drawn at 97 in Fig. 4. Said may start at the zero point of the graduations, that is to say without lateral movement of the needle bar, which gives linear sewing, the adjustments of the control member 91 producing lateral movements of the needle bar of which the amplitude dependson these adjustments.

The additional device may also include a second auxiliary cam 98, which is also interchangeable. Said second auxiliary. cam 98 is assumed located between the auxiliary cam 67 and the plate 44 so as to be driven in intermittent movement by said plate 44. As will be seen in Figs. 1 and 3, an arm 99 is hinged to the end of the lever 5 on an extension of thev free hinge spindle 4. Said arm 99 is extended by a resilient blade 100 of which the position relative to the arm 99'may be adjusted by j g ofthe position of the slide 86 opposite a'graduation 15 means of aneccentric' 101 and may be securedby'meap; I

e aeration of a screw 102. The lever carries a stop.rod.103 adapted to co-operate with two holes 104 and 1950f the blade 100 so as to enable the arm99 to be secured in two angular positions. This arm 99 is also provided with an extension 106 constituting a feeler finger for the secondauxiliary cam 98. In the position of the arm 99 indicated in Fig. l, the feeler finger 106 is spaced from the cam 98. On the contrary, when the arm 99 is moved in such a manner as to bring the hole Hi4 into coincidence with the rod 103, the feeler finger 1116 follows the contour of the second auxiliary cam 98, thus transmitting to the lever 5 movements producing an automatic variation of the centering position of the needle. It is to be observed that the recess hollowed around the cam 21 provided in the milled ,wheel 22, is sufiiciently large to provide complete freedom for the lever 5.

The additional devicemay also be provided with a third auxiliary interchangeable cam 107. Said earn 107 has been assumed located between the first two auxiliary cams 67 and 98, Fig. 2. Said third auxiliary cam 167 is thus driven in intermittentmovement simultaneously with the cams 67 and 98. The feeler finger 33 of the lever 31 is then adapted to transmit to the control mechanism of the feeder the variations determined by the profile of said third auxiliary cam 107. It will be understood that the. auxiliary cams 67, 9S and W7 respectively, may all be replaced by other cams of the same type having difierent profiles adapted to control modified sewing points. I

Said cams 67, 98 and 107 may, for, example, be provided on the same block, ina group of three, as shown in Fig. 2, or may be independent of one another and all driven in intermittent rotation by the same gudgeon 45.

. It is to be observed (see Fig. 3) that. his the feeler member 68 itself whichmaintains the group of cams 67, 98 and 107 in position. on the plate 44 by setting it on the flange of the cam 107. 1

The positioning of the cams 67, 98 and 107 on the plate 44 is made convenient .by the fact that when, by simple traction, the member 91 has brought the pointer 95 in position belowzero, the feeler finger 68 rocks and moves away from the plate 44, 'whilst leaving full freedom for the engagement of the auxiliary cams.

The operation of a sewing machine fitted with the additional device described above is as follows:

The primary cam 1a driven in continuous rotation by the shaft 13, determines the moment at which the lateral movements of the needle bar can take place, which movements are themselves controlled by the shape of said cam n, the point of zig-Zag sewing being capable of being obtained with this primary cam la instead of being modulated in amplitude by acting on the control member 15, is modulated in an automatic manner byt'he cam 67 (of which the action may eventually be combined with that of a cam $8) whichis driven in intermittent movements from said same primary cam 1a. It is thus the profile of said cam 67 which imparts to the control member 15, through the medium of the lever 69, the rods 75 and .76 and the arm '79, the desired movements determining a selected design of the sewing point. g It is thus possible to give to said cam 67 a profile such thatthe sewing obtained has the shape of the sewingpoints shown in Figs. 8a, 8b, 8c. Fig. 8a is obtained by simultaneously decentering, by rnieans of the milled wheel 22, the needle to the right of theneedle hole. Fig. 8b is obtained by centering at the middle of the needle of the sewing ma- .chine. :As regards Fig. 8c, this shows .the sewing ob-' tained bydecenteringto the left the needle of the sew ing machine. Each bulge shown in the various Figures ber of dog teeth of the ratchet wheel 44/52, the spindle 53 of ,the pawl 51 being in this casein position 1'. This number of points can be reduced when the hinge axis53 of the pawl 51 is moved into position 2, thereduction being still greater when it is moved into position 3 In a practical example which has been carried out, the ratchet wheel 44/52 Was provided with teeth, which corresponds with a maximum number of points for one revolution of the cam 67 equal to 180. On the other hand, in this form of construction, the notches 55 of the lever 46 were selected in such a manner that in the position 2 of the spindle 53, one complete revolution of the cam 67 corresponds with 90 sewing points, whereas in position 3, only 60 sewing points were obtained for a complete revolution of the cam 67. Thus by utilising the various positions 1, 2, 3 which the spindle 53 of the pawl 51 can occupy, it is possible to increase or reduce the number of stitches for producing one of the bulges shown in Figs. 8a, 8b, 8c.

When engaging in addition to, the auxiliary cam, 67, the second auxiliary cam 98, it is possible to obtain an automatic variation of the centering position of the needle. The coupling of two cams 67 and 98 of definite profiles permits or" obtaining thesewing points shown in Figs. 8d and See. The sewing shown in Fig. Sfis obtained by superposing on a movement of regular lateral amplitude'or' the needle bar, obtained, for example, directly by the. primary cam 1a, a second movement on the needle, which movement is controlled .by an auxiliary cam 9d imparting to the center of the needle a regular sinusoidal variation. i i By engagement of thefthree auxiliary cams 67, 98 and 107 on the additional device, it is also possible to modify the movements of the feeder. The sewing shown in Fig. 8g may be obtained by using a cam 67 imparting a movement of regular lateral amplitude to the needle bar, except on a small portion of its profile so as to impart a larger amplitude for forming the triangular portions 116 shown in Fig. 8g. The selected cam 98 produces at regular intervals at changing in the centering position of the needle, and the cam;107 controls, also at regular intervals, and during some points, a return movement of the feeder. Fig. 812 is another example of sewing with cams 67, 98 and MP7 with other profiles.

The sewing machine provided with the additional device above described, amongst other things, is also suitable for carrying out embroidery such as, for example, the monogram shown in Fig. 9. It then suflices to em gage on the additional device a cam 67 which produces sewing of the type shown in Fig. 8b. 7 The width of the point obtained may be adjusted by acting on the control knob 91 and bringing the pointer F opposite one of the figures of the scale 96. In order to maintain between the marking lines xx a sufiicient number of points of constant amplitude in zig-zag, it suffices to move the con trol member 63 towards the right so that the intermittent driving movements of the cams 67 are interrupted, the machine'then continuing sewing according to the amplitude of the lateral movements imparted to the needle bar by the auxiliary cam 6'? at the moment of stopping the intermittent driving mechanism. When the user of the sewing machine considers that the sewing at constant amplitude is of'sufiicient length, the member 63 is .8a, 8b,. 8c, is obtainedby a completerevolution of' the;

.cam.67. At each forward movement of the cam 67,'con trolled by the pawl S Lthe' needle pricks two points. As

a result the number of sewing points'coinprisedby each jbul'ge maybe equal, at the maximum, to twice the nummoved towards the left and the intermittent driving mechanism is engaged afresh. The auxiliary cam 67 then continues the movement, which has been temporarily interrupted, until a complete revolution of the cam 67 has been effected. When the cam 67has reached a point corresponding to a knob of the type of sewing shown in Fig. 8b, the user cancontinue the sewing by moving the member 63 to the right so as to retain this. minimum amplitude of the zigzag. The user of the machine can thus, b'y.guiding the fabric, make the loop point a tub of the monogram andgbeyond the point [7, the intermittent driving ofthe cam 67 is re engaged by"moving the member 63 towards the left in such a manner as to obtain a fresh bulge which is lengthened between the points xx' in the same manner as the first bulge was lengthened between the points xx by moving the control member 63 towards the right. The other parts of the monogram shown in Fig. 9 are all obtained in the same manner as the first two portions, as above described.

A machine provided with the additional device described with reference to the accompanying drawings, permits of making button holes very rapidly by clamping on the plate 44 auxiliary earns 67, and if desired 98, of suitable shapes. Fig. 6 shows exactly the shape of a cam 67 enabling button holes to be sewn. As will be seen in this Fig 6, the profile of this cam 67 has on the major portion of its periphery the shape of a circular cylindrical surface 108 adapted to impart an amplitude of the lateral movements of the needle bar which are constant and equivalent to the width of one of the edges 109 of a button hole (see Fig. 7). A discontinuity is provided at 110 on the profile of said cam 67. In fact, between the two ends of the portion of the profile 108 of circular cylindrical shape, a second portion 111 of circular cylindrical shape of smaller radius than the first is interposed. This latter portion 111 of the profile of the cam 67 is adapted to impart a greater amplitude to the lateral movements of the needle bar in order to form connecting points of the two edges 109 of the button hole. With reference to Fig. 7 which shows in a very diagrammatic manner the construction of a button hole, it will be seen that at the commencement of the intermittent driving of the cam 67, whilst the feeler finger 68 is in contact with the beginning of the profile 108, the machine produces a zig-zag point of slight amplitude. The number of points stitched by the machine is then counted by the additional device. After this given number of points has been stitched, the feeler member 68, by dropping into the hollow of the cam 67 at the point of discontinuity 110, draws the attention of the user of the machine, either by acoustic effect (shock of the feeler finger 68 in the hollow of the cam), or by visual action, that the machine has stitched the number of points corresponding to the production of an edge 109 of the button hole. Following the fall of the feeler finger into the notch 110, a zig-zag movement of large amplitude is imparted to the machine which produces connecting points at the lower part 112 of the button hole. The user then adjusts the centering milled wheel 22 in such a manner that the needle is centered in the position opposed to the initial position utilised (Fig. 7a). ,Then there is provoked a reversal of the direction of feed of the feeder by'actuating the control member thereof. When the feeler member again comes into contact with the profile 108 of the cam 67, it again controls the tightened zig-zag point adapted for the formation of the second edge 109 of the button hole. A new drop of the feeler finger 68 into the notch 110 of the cam 67 releases a zig-zag move-' ment of large amplitude stitching the connecting points 113 indicated at the upper end of the button hole shown in Fig. 7. It then suflices to cut the fabric between the two edges 109 of the button hole to finish this.

The formation of a button hole according to the process which has been described is thus semi-automatic. However, it will be understood that the machine provided with the additional device hereinbefore described and of the three auxiliary cams 67, 98 and 107 of suitable profiles, may also produce each button hole in an entirely automatic manner. It will be understood that in' thelatter case the cam 67 used, should have two halves of symmetrical profile for producing the button hole com pletely in a single revolution. This implies that in the latter case, said cam 67 should have two 'notches 110 in cam 98, at the moment of setting the machine in opera tion, itself controls the centering to the left of the needle 114 in the needle hole 115 (Fig. 7a). After the production of half a button hole, said same cam 98 producing the centering to the right of the needle 114 and momentarily the cam 107 provokes the reversal of the feeder enabling the second half of the button hole tobe effected. The auxiliary cam 67, and preferably also the other auxiliary cams 98 and 107, bear a mark (not shown) indicating the portion of the profile of these cams corresponding to the beginning of the movement to be given. For commencing any operation with said auxiliary earns, the user should therefore bring the mark provided on the cam 67 opposite the feeler finger 68. This placing of the auxiliary cams into the initial position is easy by this additional device, as it suffices to set in rotation, manually, the auxiliary cams, in a clockwise direction (Figs. 2 and 3) so as to bring the mark opposite the feeler finger 68. The intermittent driving mechanism allows, in fact, the necessary freedom for effecting such an operation.

The additional device hereinbefore described by Way of example constitutes an accessory capable of being mounted in a sewing machine and removed therefrom by effecting an operation which vis as easy as that which consists in fitting the cam 1 (Fig. 1) on the spindle 13, or in disengaging it from the said spindle 13. In fact, it suffices to place the adjusting member 15 into the position 0 by pulling it further towards the outside for disengaging the wedge 16 from the notches 17, engaging the hole on the rod 103 and, by actuating the control member of the feeder, moving the stop 37 to the right (relatively to Fig. 1), so as to produce a withdrawal of the three feeler members 2, 106 and 33 relatively to the spindle 13. The additional device may therefore be engaged easily from the top to the bottom in such a manner that the sleeve 41 slides around the knob 38 and that the head of the screw 40, by penetrating into a corresponding seating of the support 39, ensures the correct position of the additional device in the sewing machine. The locking device actuated by the knob 38 ensures the maintenance in the correct position of the addi tional deviceduring the operation of the sewing machine.

The operation for disengaging the additional device from the machine after its utilisation is effected by producing a radial withdrawal of the three feeler members 2, 106 and 33 as indicated above, as also the withdrawal of the feeler member 68 by actuation of the operating knob91 thus enabling the cams 67, 98 and 107 to be removed from the plate 44. It then suffices to press on the knob 38 so that the mechanism controlled by this knob releases the additional device.

The additional device described with reference to the accompanying drawings is more particularly provided for being mounted in a sewing machine of the type of sewing machine described in U.S.A. Specification No. 2,682,845, previously referred to. However, it will be understood that a device of this character may be applied to other sewing machines with a direct or indirect con trol.

It is even possible to provide some sewing machines in which the device, hereinbefore referred to as additional, instead of being mounted therein after compleits profile, notches located symmetrically on two oppo-- site sides of said cam. Such a symmetrical notch 110a is shown in broken lines in Fig; 6. e

In the case of automatic sewing of abuttoit hole, the V In conclusion,-'-a sewing machine of The type described tion in the mannerof a supplementary accessory, may

be incorporated therein during assembly. The device in, question, as will be understood, in the latter case,

may be adapted for its definite mounting in the machine. In this latter case it is even possible to provide a machine with two driving shafts of the type of driving shaft 13, one 'of these being used for the direct control of the machine by cams of the type'ofcam 1, the second jdriv-f ing shaftbeing used'for the actuation of a device such as that described with reference to. Figs. 2 to5 of the accompanying drawings.

'11 in American Patent.2,682,845 and shown partly in Fig; 1 of the accompanying drawings, provides for the following possibilities: I f

(a) Ordinary straight sewing with. varied lengths of points;

(b) Regular or various zig-zag Sewing by using cams 1 of various profiles;

(c) Sewing with varied ornamental points by using various cams l coupled to various cams of the same type forthe control of the feeder. The possibilities indicated under I; and c apply to sew ing designs repeated cyclically after a predetermined number of points, determined by the profile of the cams. Said number of points may, for example, belS (at each point, needle and feeder can pass to extreme positions);

When a sewing machine is provided with the additional device hereinbefore described with referenceto Fig. 2, it also acquires the following possibilities:

(d) Varied zig-zagsewings (see for example Figs. 8a, 8b, 8c) by the use of auxiliary cams 67 of varied profiles, of which each cycle comprises a great number of points, for example, 3180 points, this number of points beingdetermined by the intermittent driving mechanism id -52. which also permits of reducing it to a fraction of this maximum number by the selection of the positions 1' .and 2 on the lever arm 50;

(e) Formation'of button holes by the use of a earn 6 of special profile (according to the semi-automatic method, see Figsa6 and 7); 7 p

(7) Various zig-zag sewings by theme of auxiliary cams 67 of various profiles and cams 98 of various profiles producing an automatic variation of the centering position of the needle (see Figs. 8d, 8e, 8

(g) Zig-zag sewings combined-with ornamentalpaits by the use of auxiliary cams 107 of various profiles acting in an automatic manner on the movements of the feeder, said cams 107 being combined either with a cam 67. (Fig. 8h) or with a cam 67 and a cam '98 (see Fig.8g);

- (It) in. all the cases at to g indicated above, the user of thesewing machine retains the possibility of varying the .width of the point by acting on the control knob 91 (which has not been possible hitherto on sewing machines with indirect control); r a v (i) In all the cases dato gindicated above, the user ofthe sewing machine may prolong the cycle given by one revolution of the auxiliary cams 67, 98 or 167 by acting on the control member .63 which permits of interruptingthedrive .of the cams 67,, 3 or 167 during a predetermined number of points (see Fig. 9);

1 (7') Production of button holes .(see Fig, 7) in an entirely automatic manner by the use-of a cam 67 of spe-' cial profile (see Fig. .6 with dotted lines) combined with aseparate auxiliary cam 98 anda separate auxiliary carni'tlV; .f H

. The preceding passage shows the considerable possibilityof enlarging the-rangeof use which is provided by the addition or incorporation in a sewing'machine of the additional device hereinbefore described. a

The complete additional device hereinbefore described provides for the use 'ofsthrce auxiliary cams 67, 98 and 1&7, either together,..or' independently of one another.

However, it willabe understood that a manufacturer may.

consider an additional device 'similar to that above de scribed in which only. one oftheauxiliary. cams 67, 98

or 2371's usedQoreVen. only a groupyof twoflcams, for

cams 67 and98, or cams 57 and 107. It will 12 sufiices to provide for the driving of the cam-carrying plate 44 fromany driving shaft of the sewing machine, for example from the shaft which imparts the axial toand-fro movement to the needle bar.

A mechanism of the speed variation or speed gear type, may also be interposed between the primary driving shaft and the plate 44 so as to permit of varying the ratio between the number of revolutions of the primary cam 1a and the number of revolutions of the auxiliary cam or earns 67, 93 and 167, the shape of the profiles of the cams being a function of the ratio of transmission. p 7

In the case in which the intermittent drive of theauxiliary cams is preferred, this, instead of being controlled from aprimary cam 1a (machine with direct control), or from a primary triangular cam, for example (machine with indirect control), may lac-controlled from any shaft of the sewing machine, for example from theshaft for driving the needle bar witlran axial to-and-fro movement; Itis sufiicient, in fact, to provide on this-shaft one ormore pins, or an eccentric, adapted to impart to the lever 16am oscillating movement, controlling the movement of the pawl 51, and, consequently, the intermittent drive of the cam-carrying plate 44. It will be-understood that when the additional device is removed from the sewing machine, this retains all the possibilities ofthe sewing machine with direct control (see U.S.A. Patent No. 2,682,845) indicated succinctly I in paragraphs a, b and c above.

be understood that thepossibilitiesof. sewing with such an additional device .will .be reducedrelatively to the numerous possibilities which; are obtained byrthe, com plete additional device described with reference to the drawings ,,.Fur the-r,the driving in movements gt the -auxiliary cams 67, 98'or 107 instead of being intermittent, may becqntinuous, the profiles of th; auxiliary. cams would thed'liavegto' be modified in consequence. In fact it primary cam,

Weclaimz .w. t

I 1; In a sewing machine comprising a needle bar and a feeder member, a primary cam means for imparting a predetermined number. of successive reciprocating lateral movements to said needle bar during one revolution thereof,..means.for continuously rotating said primary cam means,.said rotating. means being operatively connected to saidprimarycam means, and a control means for varying the amplitude of said lateral movements of said needlebar, whereby there is formed a predetermined number of stitches during each revolution of said primarycam thereby forming an ornamental seam, the combination comprising an auxiliary cam, said auxiliary cam having a vcarnmed surface, means for intermittently rotating said. auxiliary cam, said means. including a stationary spindle,...a leverpivoted about said spindle, said lever including afirst arm member having a feeler finger in contact with said primary cam means, the geometric axis of rotation of said. primary cam means coinciding with the geometric. axis of rotation ofsaid auxiliary cam, said means for intermittently rotating said auxiliary cam including. @means for varying the ratio of the num: ber of revolutions of the primary. cam to each revolution of the; auxiliary. earn, a lever member having at one end thereofa feeler member, said feeler memberbeing in contactwith said cammed surface of saidauxiliary cam, said leyer member being ,operatively associated with said control ,means, whereby there is formed a greater number ofstitches during each cycle of said auxiliary carn than are formed during each cycle of the ,The sewi g;machine of claim 1 including means for varying. the ratio of the transmission of the movements between said 'feeler finger contacting said auxiliary cam andsaid cgntrol -means, said means including means for causing said control means to vary the amplitude of the lateral movements of said needlebar, said latter means beingpperatiyely'associated with said lever member and with said: control means, whereby the selection of the said needle bar may be selectedat will. I a

;: 3: .The sewin ma h n of. c a m 1 including means fo utomaticallyvaryingthe centeringpposition of the needle "desired gamplitude offeach of said lateral movements of ban -said means in cluglipgfa s'econd auxiliary camgrotatably driven -in' simultaneous; movement with said first auxiliary cam and controllin entering to the left theaters; right "tlieneed bar.

4. The sewing machine of claim 1 including means for varying the amplitude of the displacements and the direction of the feeder, said means including a third auxiliary cam rotatably driven in simultaneous movement with said first auxiliary cam.

5. The sewing machine of claim 1 including means for automatically varying the centering position of the needle bar, said means including a second auxiliary cam rotatably driven in simultaneous movement with said first auxiliary cam and controlling the centering to the left and then to the right of the needle bar, and a means for varying the amplitude of the displacements and the direction of the feeder, said means including a third auxiliary cam rotatably driven in simultaneous movement with said first and second auxiliary cams, to cause the reversal of the feeder thereby enabling a button hole to be completed.

6. The sewing machine of claim 1 comprising a means for varying the centering of the needle with respect to its hole and a means for varying the amplitude of the displacements of the feeder and changing the direction of its movement, said auxiliary cam having on the major part of its periphery the shape of a circular cylindrical surface for imparting an amplitude of constant lateral movements to the needle bar equivalent to the width of one of the edges of a buttonhole, said auxiliary cam having a notch on its periphery.

7. The sewing machine of claim 6 wherein said notch in said auxiliary cam has a profile of a circular cylindrical shape of having a smaller radius than said first cylindrical shape whereby there are imparted a greater amplitude to the lateral movements of the needle bar.

8. The sewing machine of claim 1 including said auxiliary cam having two symmetrical portions, each portion of its profile having the shape of a circular cylindrical surface for imparting an amplitude of the lateral movements of the needle bar, said movements being constant and equivalent to the width of one of the edges of a buttonhole, said auxiliary cam having on each portion of its profile a second portion of circular cylindrical shape of a smaller radius than said first portion, this latter portion imparting a greater amplitude of the lateral movements of the needle bar, and a third auxiliary cam for con trolling the displacements of the feeder and their direction.

9. In a sewing machine comprising a needle bar and a feeder member, a primary cam means for imparting a predetermined number of successive reciprocatory lateral movements to said needle bar having one revolution thereof, means for continuously rotating said primary cam means, said rotating means being operatively connected to said primary cam means, and a control means for varying the amplitude of said lateral movements of said needle bar, whereby there is formed a predetermined number of stitches during each revolution of said primary cam thereby forming an ornamental seam, the combination comprising an auxiliary cam, said auxiliary cam having a cammed surface, the geometric axis of rotation of said primary cam means coinciding with the geometric axis of rotation of said auxiliary cam, a stationary spindle, a lever pivoted about said spindle, said lever including a first arm member having a feeler finger, said feeler finger being in contact with said primary cam means, said lever member having a second arm member, a pawl, a pivot member, said pawl being pivoted about said 'pivot member, a rotatable ratchet Wheel, said pawl being in cooperating relation with said ratchet wheel, the geometric axis of said ratchet wheel coinciding with the geometric axis of rotation of said auxiliary cam, saidratchet wheel having a plurality of teeth in its periphery, said second arm member having a slot therethrough, said a surface of said auxiliary cam, a spring means wound around said pivot member and hooked at one of its ends to said pivot member and having its other end bearing against the other wall of said slot for both holding said pivot member in one of said notch means and maintaining said pawl at its end portion against said teeth of said ratchet wheel, the number of said teeth being proportional to the number of stitches made during one revolution of said auxiliary cam, whereby said auxiliary cam is intermittently rotated and whereby the ratio of the number of revolutions of the primary cam to each revolution of said auxiliary cam is varied, a lever member having at one end thereof a feeler member, said feeler member being in contact with said cammed surface of said auxiliary cam, said lever member being operatively associated with said control means, whereby there is formed a greater number of stitches during each cycle of said auxiliary cam than are formed during each cycle of the primary cam.

10. In a sewing machine comprising a needle bar and a feeder member, primary cam means for imparting a predetermined number of successive reciprocatory lateral movements to said needle bar during one revolution thereof, means for continuously rotating said primary cam means, said rotating means being operatively connected to said primary cam means, and a control means for varying the amplitude of said lateral movements of said needle bar, whereby there is formed a predetermined number of stitches during each revolution of said primary cam thereby forming an ornamental seam, the combination comprising an auxiliary cam, said auxiliary cam having a cammed surface, means for intermittently rotating said auxiliary cam, the geometric axis of rotation of said primary cam means coinciding with the geometric axis of rotation of said auxiliary cam, said means for inter mittently rotating said auxiliary cam being operatively associated with said primary cam means, said means for intermittently rotating said auxiliary cam including a means for varying the ratio of the number of revolutions of the primary cam to each revolution of the auxiliary cam, a lever member having at one end thereof a feeler member, said feeler member being in contact with said cammed surface of said auxiliary cam, said lever member being operatively associated with said control means, and means for varying the ratio of the transmission of the movements between said feeler finger contacting said auxiliary cam and said control means, said means for varying the ratio of the transmission of the movements between said feeler finger contacting said auxiliary cam and said control means including a bent 1 member, a control rod, said bent member being coupled slot having a plurality of spaced notch means in one wall thereof for receiving said pivot member, means for engaging said auxiliary cam, said engaging means being fixedly secured to said ratchet wheel at its surface facing to said control means, said lever member having an arm member having a sliding surface edge, a pivot member mounted on the end of said control rod, said pivot member being movable with respect to said surface edge of said arm member of said lever member, a stationary spindle pivot member, whereby said lever is operatively associated with said control rod, said lever member being pivoted about said stationary spindle pivot member, a second control means for positioning said movable pivot member at any pointalong said sliding. surface edge, whereby there is obtainedat will the desired amplitude of the lateral movements of said needle bar, said movable pivot member being positioned at a point on said sliding surface edge, whereby said lever pivotsto disengage said feeler fingerfrom said auxiliary cam thereby rendering the control means including the'bentmember for varying the amplitude of said lateral movements of'said needle bar inoperative with respect to said auxiliary cam and whereby there is formed a greater number of stitches during each cycle of said auxiliary ca'm than there are formed during each cycle of the primary cam.

11. The sewingmachine of claim 10 wherein said sec-' ond control means. for positioning said-movable pivot,

member comprises a hollow cylindrically shaped member,

a movably slidable member positioned in said hollow member, a second control rod pivotally attached to said slidable member at one end thereof and to said pivot member movable with respect to said surface edge of said lever arm member, a spring means positioned about said movably slidable member for moving said movably slidable member away from said movable pivot member, whereby said slidable member can be moved to a position corresponding to zero amplitude of the stitch Without changing the position of said second control means.

12, In a sewing machine comprising a needle bar and a feeder member, a primary cam means for imparting a predetermined number of successive reciprocatory lateral movements to said needle bar during onerevolutionthereof, means for continuously rotating said primary cam means, said rotating means being operatively connected to said primary cam means, and a control means for varying the amplitude of said lateral movementsof said needle bar, whereby there is formed a predetermined number of stitches during each revolution of said primary cam thereby forming an ornamental scam, the combination comprising an auxiliary cam, said auxiliary cam having a cammed surface, means for intermittently rotating said auxiliary cam, the geometric axis of rotation of said primary cam means coinciding with the geometric axis of rotation of said auxiliary cam, said means for intermittently rotating said auxiliary cam being operatively associated with said primary cam means, said means for intermittently rotating said auxiliary cam including a means for varying the ratio of the number of revolutions of the primary cam to each revolution of the auxiliary cam, a lever member having at one end thereof a feeler member, said feeler member being in contact with said cammed surface of said auxiliary cam, said lever member being operatively associated with said control means, and control means for manually disengaging said means for intermittently rotating said auxiliary cam, said latter control means being positioned adjacent said means for intermittently rotating said auxiliary cam, whereby there is formed a greater number of stitches during each cycle of said auxiliary cam than are formed during each cycle of the primary cam.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 573,881 Jagielski Dec. 29, 1896 1,032,621 Noble et al. July 16, 1912 2,682,845 Casas-Robert et a1 July 6, 1954 2,684,649 Scarpa July 27, 1954 2,755,754 Urscheler July 24, 1956 

